I first visited the Library of Musiclandria for a Sacramento Songwriters group event last fall. It was a songwriter’s open mic for originals. I remember playing my sing-along song, and that was the first time that it really worked! The people were kind, the space was a little odd but welcoming, and I knew I’d be returning. Since then, I have returned for multiple events, met many more great people, and became and ardent supporter of the project.

It lives on S Street between 12th and 13th, near the iconic Old Ironsides bar. It’s an unassuming building that’s easy to miss. Parking is easy, and being nearby the lively R St corridor is pretty cool. Apparently, they moved there only a few years ago after launching from an apartment, which is where it was for quite a while. The founder, Buddy, started the non-profit and continues with the day to day operations. You will likely meet him there during any visit. Check out the website for more background.

The space is wide and open for hosting events, the calendar is active with other groups bringing their events to this space. Concerts, workshops, classes, dance-offs, video shoots, they host a variety of activities! There are Musiclandria hosted things too, and I know people who’ve gone through their workshop who can now access the studio space (there’s a recording space) as an engineer for clients. They operate a music label out of there, and I don’t know what else, there’s a lot.

That’s all without saying anything about the primary service, the instrument library. Ya, it’s a free library for checking out equipment. Need something for a gig, or a specific sound for a recording, or something to record with, I’m pretty sure they have something for it. This can help relieve my condition, gear acquisition syndrome, so that I can just have that gear for when I will actually use it.

The greatest aspect of this space however, are the people I meet there every time. Some of the kindest and most supportive local musicians seem to collect at this spot. Really, they are a big reason why I committed to actually making a music release. Maybe it’s the space, or the format, but something makes it feel collaborative, people are there to listen as well as share what they have.

I will continue visiting Musiclandria and supporting the project. I like the songwriter circles, the open mics, the showcases, and whatever other curious things that catch me, like a circuit bending workshop?! I have to remember this resource when doing a project too, I feel like I haven’t quite integrated into my imagination that this gear is accessible to me. Experiment!